Common Summer Flooring Issues & How to Prevent Them

It’s summer time in Lancaster County. If you are like most people, you are spending more time outside and having more guests over to your home more often than usual. With additional traffic coming and going in your house – friends, kids home from school, and pets running in and out – along with hosting backyard barbeques and swim parties, you may not realize all of these activities can have a negative impact on your floors.

In addition to performing routine residential cleaning, homeowners can take some additional steps to ensure their floors remains in good condition. In this month’s blog, Angie will discuss the three most common types of flooring damage that can occur during the summer and what homeowners can do to prevent it.

Water-Related Issues

When it’s hot outside, there are several water-related issues that can have a negative impact on your flooring. Wet feet from pools, sprinklers, or rain showers and melted ice from coolers can seep into your floor’s seams, causing hardwood floors to warp or cup and laminate to swell. Moisture trapped under rugs or mats near entryways can also encourage mold and mildew growth, particularly on wood or laminate flooring.

Another water-related culprit that can wreak havoc on your floors is humidity. High summer humidity can cause hardwood floors to expand, resulting in cupping, buckling, or gaps, as moisture levels fluctuate.

Cosmetic Issues

The second most common type of flooring damage that can occur during the summer pertains to cosmetic issues. With more traffic going in and out of your home, sand, dirt, and small stones can be tracked into the house on shoes. Unfortunately, these hitchhikers act like sandpaper, scratching hardwood, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), laminate, and even tile finishes. Increased foot traffic can also gradually wear away protective finishes on hardwood floors, making them appear dull and more susceptible to future damage.

Two other cosmetic issues that can occur are indentations and dents. Moving furniture, coolers, or heavy items across the floor to get ready for a summer party can dent hardwood floors or leave impressions in softer flooring materials.

Miscellaneous Issues

The last category of flooring damage that can occur during the warmer weather involves two miscellaneous items – staining and adhesive failure. With more people walking in and out of the home, things like grass clippings, mud, mulch, sunscreen, spilled drinks, popsicles, and barbecue sauce can leave stains or discolor flooring, if not cleaned promptly.

Another miscellaneous issue to watch out for is adhesive failure. In extreme heat and humidity, some vinyl flooring adhesives may soften, causing tiles or planks to loosen or shift.

Tips to Prevent Water, Cosmetic & Miscellaneous Floor Damage

Thankfully, there are some simple steps that homeowner’s can take to ensure their floors don’t suffer from water, cosmetic, or miscellaneous floor damage. Here are some tips from Angie to protect your floors during the summer months:

• Place high-quality doormats both outside and inside every entrance and encourage residents and guests to wipe their feet.
• Check under rugs and doormats in high-traffic areas that may be susceptible to mold and mildew growth and clean these areas regularly and effectively.
• Encourage family and guests to remove their shoes when inside your home.
• Sweep or vacuum more frequently than usual to remove abrasive dirt and grit, especially after a party.
• Wipe up liquid spills immediately.
• Use felt pads under furniture and avoid dragging heavy objects.
• Maintain indoor humidity between 35% and 55% to help protect hardwood floors.
• Apply a fresh coat of finish or polish to hardwood floors when needed to maintain its protective layer.

Cleaning Tips

Angie also has some simple cleaning tips for hardwood, LVP and tile, and laminate flooring, in order to keep them looking their best:

For hardwood floors, homeowners should use as little water as possible when cleaning. Next, they should choose a cleaner specifically labeled for hardwood. Then dry the area immediately to prevent moisture damage.

When it comes to LVP and tile floors, homeowners should use mild soap and water or a pH-neutral cleaner. Abrasive powders, steel wool, or harsh solvents should be avoided.

For laminate flooring, homeowners should use a lightly damp microfiber mop. Never allow standing water, as it can cause the planks to swell.

By implementing a few of these preventative measures and cleaning your floors properly, homeowners can significantly reduce wear and extend the life of their flooring, even during the busiest summer months. For more home cleaning tips, visit https://angiescustomcleaning.com/.